The fire coral is a mustard color
tipped with white, and is definitely on every divers list of
what not to touch. The stinging cells, called nematocysts,
cause short term intense burning and pain. Some people are
more sensitive to the effects of the stinging cells. The
majority of the sponges seen in this picture are chicken
liver sponges (Chondrilla nucula), which looks like a
huge glob of wax that is slowly losing a battle against
gravity. The fish in the background are very common at all
three banks of the sanctuary - brown chromis (Chromis
multilineata). (photo: Frank and Joyce Burek)